Fire crews mopping up Isleta Pueblo blaze

Crews are still mopping up the remains of the first big fire of 2014 on the Isleta Pueblo.

The fire started on Sunday afternoon and spread quickly thanks to high winds. By 9:30 p.m., the fire had burned at least 30 acres of grassland.

Fifty firefighters fought for hours to keep the blaze contained, even working overnight.

The fire did not threaten any homes or other structures, but the experience was an eye-opener for metro area residents.

Clay Anderson with the National Weather Service said fire season doesn't typically start until next month, but since New Mexico is the driest it has been in three years, the threat is very real--even in February.

Two other fires broke out in the metro on Sunday: One burned in the South Valley near the Bosque and another popped up in Valencia County just southeast of Belen.